Casa Dorca: well adjusted, happy children

In May, 2006, the New York Times reported that about 9,000 babies are abandoned in Romania each year, overwhelming foster and adoption programs. The article reported that in February of 2006, investigators found 65 infants being cared for by 3 people in a government institution. Confined to their cribs most of their lives, early neglect is leading to disabilities for these children later on. While the overall situation in Romania is greatly improved over the last decade as Romania tries to erase the images of institutionalized children tied to cribs and smeared with their own feces, tragically, there are still children living in these conditions.

But thanks to a group of churches in region of the rural town of Prilipet, who put actions to their faith by caring for the orphans in the area, the children of Casa Dorca are growing up to be well-adjusted, quality, God-fearing citizens, who will raise Biblical, God-honoring families. Casa Dorca, located in the rugged, remote town of Prilipet in the back country of Romania, is home to 27 children whose parents could no longer care for them due to poverty, addictions or death.

The leadership shared with Steve that in October 2006, prior residents of Casa Dorca returned to attend the dedication of the new building. Graduate after graduate shared the great impact that Casa Dorca made on their lives. Some of them were 70-80 years old, and others were among the group of children whom Communist government officials evicted from their building, so they could use it for their own purposes. As the small evictees marched vulnerably through the chilling downpour of a cold Romanian winter, they sang, “It’s so good to know we have a Father in heaven.” Others who were present that day shared at the dedication what an impact the children’s song made on them. All of the prior residents of Casa Dorca who showed up that day are a testament to the quality organization that Casa Dorca is, and to the healing power of the Holy Spirit. They are well-adjusted and leading productive, God-honoring lives.

Thanks to the completion of the new building, Casa Dorca has enough space to bring more children in, helping to address the problem of abandoned babies, but lacks the funds needed to support any more children. About 10-12 of the residents who were brought to Casa Dorca as small children are now away at high school or university and are doing very well in their studies, but the costs to Casa Dorca are high because there are no such schools in tiny Prilipet, so the students must board.

Additionally, the Romanian government still isn’t being kind to this generous group of churches, presumably because of their religious association, and are now forcing Casa Dorca to upgrade the older sections of their facilities, which incurs great costs as well. The leadership would also absolutely love to have a vehicle that would allow them to transport all of their children to church at the same time.

While the ever mounting expenses of caring for 27 orphans are great needs for the small organization, they are confident that God will provide, as he has before. Many times, Steve has the privilege of being the delivery boy for God’s provisions for Casa Dorca through ITMI. We are honored and grateful to partner with this vital organization, and thrilled about their effective ministry of changing lives.
summarized by Summer Kelley